Kamehameha Schools Faces Landmark Affirmative Action Challenge Over Admissions Policy

$15 Billion Hawaiian Private School Braces for Affirmative Action Battle HONOLULU (AP) - Kamehameha Schools, a prestigious private institution founded by the family of King Kamehameha, is facing a potentially landmark affirmative action battle. The school's admissions policy, which gives preference to Native Hawaiians, has been challenged by a campaign that aims to test the limits of the policy. The controversy centers on the school's use of genealogy databases to verify applicants' Native Hawaiian ancestry. Critics argue that this practice is discriminatory and perpetuates inequality. Proponents, however, claim that the policy is necessary to preserve the cultural heritage of Hawaii's indigenous people. Kapua Ong, a 14-year-old freshman at Kamehameha Schools, credits her acceptance to the school's admissions preference for Native Hawaiians. "I do feel proud of myself for getting in because not everyone gets accepted," she said. "I'm just, like, grateful for being able to have those opportunities." The school's policy has been in place since 1986 and has been upheld by the courts. However, a recent campaign led by a group of parents and alumni is pushing for a re-examination of the policy. "We believe that the current admissions policy is discriminatory and perpetuates inequality," said Leilani Abad, a parent who is leading the campaign. "We want to ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to attend Kamehameha Schools, regardless of their ancestry." Kamehameha Schools was founded in 1863 by Bernice Pauahi Bishop, a great-granddaughter of King Kamehameha I. The school has grown into one of the largest and most prestigious private schools in Hawaii, with a $15 billion endowment. The school's admissions policy is based on a complex formula that takes into account an applicant's Native Hawaiian ancestry, academic performance, and other factors. While the policy gives preference to Native Hawaiians, it also allows for non-Native Hawaiian students to be admitted if they meet certain criteria. The campaign against the policy has sparked a heated debate about affirmative action and its role in promoting diversity and inclusion. Some argue that the policy is necessary to address historical injustices faced by Hawaii's indigenous people, while others claim that it perpetuates inequality and creates an unfair advantage for some students. The outcome of this battle will have significant implications for schools across the country. If the court rules against Kamehameha Schools' admissions policy, it could set a precedent for other institutions to re-examine their own affirmative action policies. A hearing on the case is scheduled for later this year. In the meantime, both sides are preparing for what promises to be a contentious battle over one of the most pressing issues in education today. Background: Kamehameha Schools has been at the center of controversy surrounding affirmative action and diversity in education. The school's admissions policy has been upheld by the courts since 1986, but critics argue that it perpetuates inequality and creates an unfair advantage for some students. Additional Perspectives: "The admissions policy at Kamehameha Schools is a necessary step towards preserving the cultural heritage of Hawaii's indigenous people," said Dr. Kekuni Blaisdell, a historian and expert on Hawaiian history. "I understand why the school wants to preserve its Native Hawaiian identity, but I also think that we need to consider the impact of this policy on non-Native Hawaiian students," said Leilani Abad. Current Status: The campaign against Kamehameha Schools' admissions policy is ongoing. A hearing on the case is scheduled for later this year. In the meantime, both sides are preparing for what promises to be a contentious battle over one of the most pressing issues in education today. *Reporting by Fortune.*